Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal Cancer starts in the cells of the esophagus. The esophagus is a hollow, muscular tube that carries food and drinks from the back of your mouth down to your stomach. Cancer of the esophagus can start anywhere along the length of the esophagus.

As of June 2017, there has been an estimated 2,300 new cases of Esophageal Cancer and an estimated 2,200 Esophageal Cancer deaths in Canada (Canadian Cancer Statistics, 2017).

Cancers that develop in internal organs (such as the esophagus) are less likely to present symptoms, and more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage (Canadian Cancer Statistics, 2018).

Listed below are two main types of Esophageal Cancer where treatment is similar in both cases:

Squamous Cell Carcinoma:
Starts in the cells that line the esophagus. These Cancers usually develop in the upper and middle part of the esophagus.

Adenocarcinoma:
Starts in the glandular cells in the lower part of the Esophagus.